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December 25, 2009

all the riches baby

The boys set out cookies for Santa, and a cup of [rice milk], on the bench below their stockings. Gray insisted on leaving two baby carrots on the rug by the front door. "One for Rudolph and one for Prancer."

Hubby and I started the gift wrapping process, being sure to use different paper for Santa presents separate from ours.It was confusing and complicated. And I started to wonder how much longer we'll keep up these shenanigans because HOW ANNOYING is it that Santa gets credit for all these presents that WE BOUGHT [with love]??

Not cool.

So it was approaching midnight (Santa & Mrs. Claus did some cuddling and might have played some Wii bowling before starting on the presents) and we hear Ivy waking up, seeing on the video monitor that she is actually getting down from the bed.

[totally not meant to look like a Sears portrait studio photo. weird.]

She makes her way down, coming to find us. I scoop her up and go to nurse her back to sleep and she is EATING THE REINDEER CARROTS. Two baby carrots clutched in her hands like prized possessions.

I let her munch on them a bit and then threw her leftovers back on the rug so that it looked like the reindeer ate them (a 15 month old baby will not remember this, right?)

Right?

I set her down by her dollhouse while I ran upstairs to get a diaper. When I came down the stairs she was finishing off Santa's milk! Oh that turkey. She is so lucky she's cute.

Because she didn't even get close to falling asleep until after 1 in the a.m. and I was EXHAUSTED. When the boys woke me up (after 8) I felt like I had just fallen asleep.

[for the longest time this morning (it was like heaven) Ivy sat behind the curtains playing quietly with a block and a pen.]

Christmas was perfect. Gray was thrilled to see the reindeer liked his carrots They've been nibbled on!

I stayed in my pjs the whole day. I should have taken more pictures, but didn't. I have no regrets.

I'd be embarrassed if you were to see my bank account, but somedays, like right now, I feel like the richest woman in the world.

So glad you guys had a fabulous day! Ours sounds very similar, except both my kids were up by 6 ;) but Fynn was so amazed that "Santa" ate the cookies, and came to his house, and they were both so full of fun today. Makes up for the sparseness of our {oh yes I know it so well...} bank account as well! :)

Bri couldn't open all of her presents today. She has the attention span of a two year old! There were so many presents to play with that some of them are still wrapped under the tree. I honestly wasn't sure if I'd gotten enough when I looked at the pile last night. So tonight I feel like a rich woman too. It was a beautiful day.

What sweet memories. I love how Ivy ate the carrots and then drank the milk, what an adorable rascal. I am so glad your Christmas was beautiful and just right. I feel just as rich. We are so very blessed.

I just had to tell my husband about Ivy and the carrots and the milk. What a fun family story to share with the kids when they're older and Santa has become a fond and distant part of their childhood! (And Mom and Dad are FINALLY getting credit for all the presents, not just some!)

I love that picture of Gray and that very last line. It's so true.Shane and I had the Santa discussion. Like, Santa got credit for Luke's most fabulous presents, but I suppose it is okay because I got to see the sheer joy on his face as he came down the stairs this morning. I would not trade that for all the gift credit in the world.

So glad you had such a wonderful day, Steph! I was in PJs half the day, too, and didn't get many pictures, either. There were a few stressful moments when I wasn't sure I'd get supper done on time, but in the end it was a beautiful day.

I don't know why you'd be embarrassed regardless of the number on the bottom line of your bank account. You and your husband provide a wonderful home for your four beautiful children and it seems to me they have everything they need. Anyone who looks at your life can easily see how rich you are.

Beautiful post. I thought I would mention that in Australia, nearly all the gifts are credited to Santa. Some parents rebel and do a more American style Christmas, but a lot still do it where Santa leaves a bunch of gifts for the children rather than them coming from the parents! I cannot imagine!

Ugh, we gave up the whole trying to keep different wrapping paper this year. It's hard enough just figuring out what came from Sangta and what came from us and balancing everything. We have 5 under 9 years old now, so I just quit and said, "Santa's magic." And I don't lie well or remember well (with that 2 month old in the house!), so it's gonna unravel before long, I just know it!

Sounds like a perfect Christmas! We never did the Santa thing with our girls, and last night I was just saying how much trouble it seems to have to keep up the charade. We don't let the girls see the wrapped gifts till Christmas morning, but as soon as they were in bed on Christmas Eve (asleep or not), we put them out so we can go to bed. Call me a wimp. I can take it ;)Part of me is sad though, that they never got to experience the make-believe wonder of Santa, the reindeer, and all that. I guess that's what happens when two realists marry. My kids seem to be turning out ok though.Enjoy the rest of your holiday season. I don't want to go back to school!!

Christmas was magical. I felt like I never have before that Christmas is romantic and felt such a love for my family and for my in laws. it was just amazing. I can't wait to have kids. it will be even better.

You are lucky they slept until 8. Thank goodness they didn't take after me; I always woke up early on Christmas morning - like 4 am. Ivy just reinforced your boys' belief in Santa by nibbling on carrots and drinking the milk. They had a fabulous Christmas.

giggling over your lil ones' efforts! This year was my twins' first year of really 'getting' it all about Santa...the first year we left out milk and cookies and the first year they woke up, excited to see those cookies and milk had been eaten (a few crumbs were left behind and my daughter wondered why he had not eaten the last bite...)

We spent the day at home, alone too, but due to sick kids...what a bummer!

I Loved your last comment about feeling like a rich woman! Thankfully aside from the mess of sick kids and canceled plans..there were a few of those moments here as well.